Padua Celebrates 65th Anniversary

Padua Franciscan High School will celebrate its 65th anniversary throughout the 2026-2027 school year. The school will be holding a number of events, starting with a Family Mass, followed by the Dedication of the new Zavagno Athletic Center, which is a 29,000-square-foot facility connected to the southwest corner of the school near Padua Stadium.

The facility includes a 14,000-square-foot gymnasium space that provides two full-size courts for practice and tournament competitions. It holds approximately 1,300 spectators. The additional 15,000-square-foot space includes a grand concourse for entrance, which will house a ticketing booth, restrooms, a Bruin Shop kiosk and a concession stand for both stadium and gym venues. Also, four locker rooms provide space for Padua girls, Padua boys, visiting teams, and officials. A sports medicine room, as well as the athletic department offices, are now located in this space.

“Padua Franciscan is entering its strongest and most exciting chapter yet,” said President Dave Stec ’86. “As we celebrate 65 years of Franciscan excellence, we proudly honor the Bruins of our past whose faith, sacrifice, and vision built this extraordinary school. With the completion of our $16 million Achieving Excellence capital campaign, we are ensuring that future Bruins will have every opportunity to learn, lead and thrive. I truly believe the best is yet to come.”

Special Events

Padua Family Mass
Saturday, August 15
6:30pm
@ St. Anthony of Padua Church

Zavagno Athletic Center Dedication
Sunday, August 16
1pm-2pm Dedication
Open House to Follow
@ Zavagno Athletic Center

Bruins Big Give
Thursday, September 24

Alumni Homecoming
Friday, October 2
Kickoff at 7pm
Padua vs. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
@ Padua Stadium

Open House
Sunday, October 11
10am-1pm
Monday, October 12
6pm-8pm
@ Padua Franciscan High School

CFO Alumni Mass & Reception
Friday, December 18
8:15am Mass 
@ Zavagno Athletic Center

Bruin Benefit
Saturday, April 24
6pm-10pm
@ Zavagno Athletic Center

Alumni Golf Outing
Friday, June 4
@ Shale Creek Golf Club in Medina

Grand Reunion
Saturday, June 5
6pm-9pm
@ Padua Franciscan High School

Throughout this milestone year, Padua will continue celebrating the impact the school has made on more than 13,000 young men and women since 1961.